Girls Will Be Girls is a 2024 Indian drama about adolescence, family relationships, and self-discovery. Directed by Shuchi Talati, this coming-of-age film has received praise for its realistic storytelling and powerful performances.
The film stars Preeti Panigrahi, Kani Kusruti, and Kesav Binoy Kiron in key roles, supported by a talented cast that adds depth to the story. Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal produced the movie under their banner, Pushing Buttons Studios.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the cast, their personal and professional journeys, and what they are working on next.
Preeti Panigrahi
Preeti Panigrahi plays Mira, a bright student struggling with emotions and identity. She grew up in Delhi and studied at Hindu College before training at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI).
Before this film, she performed in theatre and short films. Her breakout role in Girls Will Be Girls won her the Special Jury Award at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. Critics praised her ability to express deep emotions with subtlety.
Currently, she is reading new scripts and plans to take on more meaningful roles in the future.
Kani Kusruti
Kani Kusruti plays Anila, Mira’s mother, a woman caught between societal expectations and personal desires. She has built a strong reputation in Indian cinema by choosing roles that break stereotypes.
Her acting journey began in theatre before she moved to Malayalam films. Over the years, she has worked in several critically acclaimed projects and won multiple awards.
Her performance in Girls Will Be Girls earned her a nomination at the 40th Independent Spirit Awards. Next, she will star in Ouseppinte Osiyathu, a family drama set to release in late 2025.
Kesav Binoy Kiron
Kesav Binoy Kiron plays Srinivas (Sri), a new student who becomes close to Mira. To prepare for the role, he attended acting workshops and focused on bringing realism to his character.
Although Girls Will Be Girls is his big break, he has been active in theatre and independent films. His performance impressed both critics and audiences.
Now, he is exploring new roles in mainstream and indie cinema.
Supporting Cast
- Kajol Chugh as Priya
- Nandini Verma as Divya
- Devika Shahani as Ms. Bansal
- Akash Pramanik as Hardik
- Aman Desai as Vikrant
- Jitin Gulati as Harish – Mira’s father
Shuchi Talati: The Director
Shuchi Talati is an Indian filmmaker known for telling stories about gender, sexuality, and South Asian identity. Before directing Girls Will Be Girls (2024), she worked on several notable projects.
Her short film Mae and Ash (2012) won multiple awards, while A Period Piece (2020) premiered at SXSW. She also worked on Emmy-nominated documentaries, including Being Mary Tyler Moore (2023). Additionally, she contributed to Netflix’s We Are: The Brooklyn Saints (2021) and HBO’s Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas (2018), which earned a GLAAD Award nomination.
A graduate of the American Film Institute and an alumna of Berlinale Talents, Shuchi is also a member of the Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective and the Bitchitra Collective.
Richa Chadha & Ali Fazal: The Producers Behind the Film
Actors Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal produced Girls Will Be Girls under their banner, Pushing Buttons Studios. In 2021, they launched their production house, Pushing Buttons Studios, with a vision to support unique and meaningful films that challenge traditional narratives. Passionate about unique and meaningful stories, they collaborated with international producers like Claire Chassagne and Sanjay Gulati.
Their efforts helped the film gain global recognition, making it a significant success in independent cinema.
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